World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 Preview Round 2 – Japan vs Samoa & HKCR vs Scotland

The second round of the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament in Edinburgh sees the Asian sides in Pool A in action on Sunday 7th July 2024, with Hong Kong China playing the hosts, and Japan facing Samoa.

Feature Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group

Hong Kong China were humbled by the strong Japanese side in the opening round, with the Japan U20 recording a tournament record victory of 105-20, but hours later the Scots broke the record with a 123-15 win over the Samoans.

This means Sunday’s fixtures are likely to be one-sided affairs once again as the log leaders look to pile on the points and secure progress to the next round, while both Hong Kong China and Samoa will want to put in much stronger performances themselves.

The U20 Trophy tournament schedule and results can be seen here.

Matchday Squads World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 Round 2

Hong Kong China Matchday Squad vs Scotland

This will be the first meeting at the U20 level between Hong Kong China and Scotland and Head Coach Joe Barker hopes Hive Stadium will leave his squad with some better memories compared to the opening round loss to Japan which was also the first time the two nations had met at a World Rugby U20 tournament.

Barker said following the game, “We managed to show signs of positive play and the fact we scored 20 points versus a tier-one nation shows there are signs we are there, and we can perform at this stage, but now we need to find a way to do that for 80 minutes which is the biggest challenge.”

As much as the experience in Scotland is key for player pathway and development, there also need to be signs of improvement and lessons being learned in short turnaround times which is a tough ask of the young squad. Barker added, “It is a huge element of a pathway development to expose the players to this level of standard, and today has highlighted that. The more we can put the players under this pressure and intense situations, it will grow them as rugby players and people.”

The Scots have made ten changes to their side and the Scottish U20 Head coach Kenny Murray said, “Hong Kong China will provide us with another good test and give us an opportunity to play a team and style of rugby that we haven’t faced before, which is exciting for this group.”

You can read more in our collaboration piece with Hong Kong China Rugby on their tournament expectations and squad.

RESULT: Scotland 101-0 Hong Kong China

Scottish Squad

1. Robbie Deans (Edinburgh Rugby)
2. Seb Stephen (unattached)
3. Callum Norrie (Glasgow Warriors
4. Dylan Cockburn (Southern Knights/Melrose RFC)
5. Ruaraidh Hart (Glasgow Warriors) – Vice-captain
6. Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby) – Captain
7. Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Jonny Morris (Glasgow Warriors)
9. Hector Patterson (Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Matthew Urwin (Glasgow Warriors)
11. Ludo Kolade (Harlequins/Bath University
12. Kerr Yule (Glasgow Warriors)
13. Johnny Ventisei (Glasgow Warriors)
14. Finlay Doyle (Loughborough University)
15. Jack Hocking (Edinburgh Rugby)

Replacements

16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
17. Ben White (Biggar RFC)
18. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby)
19. Ryan Burke (Glasgow Warriors)
20. Tom Currie (Edinburgh Rugby) – Vice-captain
21. Conor McAlpine (Watsonians)
22. Andrew McLean (Boroughmuir Bears)
23. Fergus Watson (Glasgow Warriors)

Japan Matchday Squad vs Samoa

Japan has faced Samoa three times at the U20 level and the Pacific Islanders lead the head-to-head 2-1 although the last time they played was in 2015. In the more recent 2024 World Rugby Pacific Challenge, the Japanese beat Manuma Samoa in Samoa on the way to winning the title.

The Japanese have won the U20 Trophy three times previously and finished runner-up three times and look on course for at least a semifinal as one of the favourites but their first real test might be in the final pool game match against Scotland as both look to earn promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship.

RESULT: Japan 81-7 Samoa

How To Watch The World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024

Matches at the World Rugby U20 Trophy can be watched anywhere in the world for free on RugbyPass TV.

World Rugby added that matches can be viewed via local broadcast partners BBC Alba for Scotland matches and the Japan Rugby Football Union for Japan’s matches. A two-hour delay will apply in the UK for all Scotland matches as well as the third place play-off and final.

International Rugby Tournaments 2024

• 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy – Teams & Fixtures Guide.
• World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 Preview – Japan U20 vs HKCR U20.
• Chile vs Hong Kong China 2024 Match Preview.
• WXV 2024 Details Confirmed – WXV 3 Heads Back To Dubai.